The location at Finshoge, now marked by an earthen rath, has long been associated with a castle that appears in historical documents from the mid-17th century. The Civil Survey of 1654-6 mentions ‘the butt of an old castle’ when describing the boundaries of Old Ross parish, suggesting that even by that time, any substantial structure had already fallen into ruin.

The connection between the rath and the castle becomes clearer through the work of John O’Donovan, the renowned Irish scholar and topographer. Around 1840, local inhabitants pointed out the rath to O’Donovan as the site of Finshoge castle, a tradition that had apparently been passed down through generations. This oral history provides a valuable link between the documentary evidence and the physical landscape, though it raises intriguing questions about the nature of the original fortification.

What makes this site particularly interesting is the complete absence of any masonry remains. Unlike many Irish castle sites where at least some stonework survives, Finshoge shows no trace of the typical stone construction associated with medieval or early modern castles. This has led to speculation that the rath itself, an earlier earthwork fortification typically dating from the early medieval period, may have been reused or adapted as a castle site. Such repurposing of ancient earthworks wasn’t uncommon in Irish history, particularly in areas where quick fortification was needed or where resources for stone construction were limited.